Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Help Plugging Etymotic Phones into Sony Television

Anyone know how I can plug these headphones into either my Sony widescreen television, or into my VCR/DVD combo player? I'd rather use a direct extension cord instead of some bluetooth contraption. But when I plug them directly into the audio jack on the back of the TV, no dice. Is there another setting or adapter that doesn't involve me buying some ridiculous cellphone attachment?

http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/etymotic_research_er6.jpg

I love watching Perry Mason & Twilight Zone episodes while dawdling on the rollers, but I also love my neighbors and don't want to vex them with the TV blasting loud enough to hear over the roller fans.

Many thanks!

Does either of the TV's have an actual headphone jack? Can you describe the audio jacks that you are trying to use?

If you have the model number of the TV(s), I could likely find the information needed on the web...,.

Basically, if the sets have actual headphone output jacks, they should work and we'd trouble shoot why they were not working.

But if the audio out jacks are regular audio out jacks, then you'd need to use an audio receiver, intergrated amp or other audio device (anything would audio inputs and a headphone jack could work, ...this could be anything from a $5 craigslist receiver, something cheap from Goodwill, or even a table radio like a Tivoli PAL. You'd go from the TV to the stereo receiver/whatever device, and then plug your headphones into that device.

Difference between the headphone jack and audio output is generally the TV's volume. For one (the headphone jack) the TV's volume controls the volume of the output,....the other audio output is constant in level and not affected by the TV volume,...Not as confusing as I'm making it sound!

Anyway, let me know the kind of jack or the model number of the TV and I'll see if I can help...

Check the labeling. Less expensive tvs will have a mini-stereo port, but for the VGA/computer input, not for output. That said, it's hard to diagnose the problem without knowing more about your setup(or, in my case, actually seeing it).

Thanks for the kind advice gentlemen! Very kind.
Here's a pic of the back of the set.
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/120424-tvaudio.jpg
The plug in my hand for the headphones, plugs directly into the jack above, but alas no sound.

I didn't even notice that it says "Audio In" before taking the pic. Impossible to see, in fact.

Funny how much easier it is to read it in the photo than in real life. The red & white jacks to the upper left of the plug in my hand say "Audio Out". Would something like the adaptor at the bottom of this photo work?:

http://dustygamer.mcmuumio.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/audio_cable_setup.jpg

Thanks for the kind advice gentlemen! Very kind.
Here's a pic of the back of the set.
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/120424-tvaudio.jpg
The plug in my hand for the headphones, plugs directly into the jack above, but alas no sound.

I didn't even notice that it says "Audio In" before taking the pic. Impossible to see, in fact.

Funny how much easier it is to read it in the photo than in real life. The red & white jacks to the upper left of the plug in my hand say "Audio Out". Would something like the adaptor at the bottom of this photo work?:

http://dustygamer.mcmuumio.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/audio_cable_setup.jpg

Yes.

Beautiful! Thank ya pardner.

I don't think that'll work so well. According to the online manual, that's a fixed line output. If so, it's unlikely that it will drive the earphones to any decent level, and there would be no way to adjust the level. BUT, plug those outputs into the cheapest stereo amp with a volume control and a headphone jack, and you'll get plenty of volume. A dedicated headphone amp would do essentially the same thing.

I don't think that'll work so well. According to the online manual, that's a fixed line output. If so, it's unlikely that it will drive the earphones to any decent level, and there would be no way to adjust the level. BUT, plug those outputs into the cheapest stereo amp with a volume control and a headphone jack, and you'll get plenty of volume. A dedicated headphone amp would do essentially the same thing.

That might depend on the TV. I can't remember right now which of the outputs that I am using on my TV but I have my TV hooked into my stereo/home theater system and I know that the volume is controlled by both the stereo/home theater system as well as the TV set.

Yes, some (possibly most) TV's with RCA output have the volume preset, but it may be loud enough for the OP's purposes. Or it may need some sort of an amplifier.

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/KDL40EX501_mksp.pdf

According to the pdf manual for the Sony HDTV, it has one (set) of audio outputs and the level is *Fixed*,...i.e., is a constant volume level and is not affected by the Sony's volume control.

Plugging the Sony's audio outputs into some kind of external device is really the way to go. If the headphones were fed directly from the fixed audio outputs, you'd have no volume control.

Are there any old receivers in the house that could be used? Often people give away mini stereo systems who's CD player skips or that has some other problem,...but the device would work for the purpose here . Could also check for cheap items on Craigslist or Goodwill. It doesn't need to cost a lot, but you really need some kind of amp for the headphones to enjoy the sound from the TV....

Thanks again guys!
Because I'm using the noise-cancelling headphones above, I don't need much volume. And the fixed volume is working fine for me, so I'm all set. Pretty cool to hear the TV clearly without blasting the volume to hear it over the shriek of my Killer Headwind fan.
Peace & safe riding!
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/120413-pelotontrip1.jpg